How the Cardinal's new starting lineup will affect the outcome, though, is anybody's guess, because tonight's game is at home, which, for some reason, has brought out the worst in the Cardinal.

"I don't know what it is," Stanford coach Trent Johnson said.

The Cardinal (9-4, 1-2) have played well in all five games away from Maples, winning four and losing only to No. 10 Arizona after having a five-point lead in the second half. Sunday's victory over Virginia was particularly impressive, because it occurred on the Cavaliers' homecourt, where they were 8-0, including a victory over Arizona and a 21-point win over Gonzaga.

At home, though, the Cardinal have yet to play as well as they did in any of those road games. The past two home games -- a 62-46 loss to Santa Clara and a 67-63 loss to Cal just four days before the Virginia game -- were especially disappointing, because the Cardinal shot so poorly in both.

Johnson claims the Cardinal are getting the same shots at home, but they're just not falling. Johnson can only guess the players seem to be trying too hard at Maples.

"Watching them shooting at home on tape, they seem to have the world on their shoulders," he said.

Anthony Goods has moved over from shooting guard to become the starting point guard, replacing sophomore point guard Mitch Johnson, who before Sunday had started 32 consecutive games other than senior day in the Cardinal's final home game last season.

While Johnson's playing time may be decreasing, freshman Landry Fields is playing more. And Fields is the symbol of the Cardinal paradox. He has hit only 4 of 22 three-point shots at home, but has made 6 of 11 away from Maples.

Somehow, Stanford has to bring its road game to Maples, although Johnson is reluctant to radically change his team's routine.

"I'm not one to say we're going to check into a motel before a home game now," he said.

Briefly: Tim Morris, who transferred from Stanford to Washington after last season, is not making the trip to Palo Alto. As a transfer he is required to sit out one season.